Submitted w/ tongue in cheek:
For: Ex offenders
Contact(s): Social Security Office
Welfare Department
State Rehabilitation Office
What do I do? Where do I go? Who do I talk to?
Go immediately upon release to the nearest Social Security Office and ask
to speak to a counselor so that you can apply for social security inurance
emergency supplement benefits of $1500.00. Explain that you are
emotionally and mentally unprepared to hold a job, show then your parole
or mandatory release papers, in order to prove you are just out of prison.
(NOTE you should receive a check within 72 hours) While at the office,
fill out the necessary forms for the $310.00 monthly disability benefits
for every month you were incarcerated.
Now, go to the nearest WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFFICE and apply for the GENERAL
RELIEF. Again show them your parole or mandatory release papers as proof
that you are just out of prison. Tell them you need financial assistance
immediately! A check should be issued to you within 2 hours. It should be
for approximately $150.00. Also, apply for FOOD STAMPS while you are there
you should recieve about $110.00 worth while you are there be sure to
obtain your medical card for health protection benefits. (NOTE this card
can be used at any doctor’s office)
SSI
a. $1500.00-one time payment
b. $300.00-3 months payment
c. $228.00-per month payment
d. $168.00-per month payment
VOCATIONAL
a. $1900.00-for auto expense
b. $300.00-for work clothes
c. $400.00-for casual clothes
d. $$$$$-for work tools
UPON YOUR RELEASE :
1. About two months prior to release send a letter to the regional
director of the social security department asking for an application for
$980.00 under SSI. Tell him you have seen and been approved for parole or
your release date and city you will be living in. You can’t receive
benefits while in prison, but your letter serves as an application. Under
RCW 74.29.205, RCW 72.02.040 and Public Law 93.365.92.603 as an ex-convict
you are classified as a disadvantaged minority. (IF YOU HAVE A JOB WAITING
YOU WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS BENEFIT)
2. Under the same citations as quoted in #1, you can write the DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES in your city or county, to get a list for LOW
INCOME HOUSING.
3. Upon your release if you have no job waiting you can go to the Dept. of
Social Services and apply for food stamps. Approximately $180.00 is
available if you qualify.
4. Even if you rent a room if your income is below a certain level you are
eligible in many states for a one time a year fuel assistance payment
through your social services.
5. To help you get a job in the trade in which you are qualified and the
job requires tools and/or special clothing, go to the DEPARTMENT OF
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION.
6. If you wish to start your own business, the SMALL BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATIONS can help. You must present a business plan to at least
three banks and be turned down by them before approaching the SBA. The SBA
can loan you up to $24,000.00 which the SBA guarantees to the bank. Under
the retired businessman plan a sucessful small business owner, (who is
retired) will help you formulate your business plan at no charge. They
will also loan you up to $1000.00 more if a work vehicle is needed of
course you must present a business plan which shows a chance for success.
7. Under the dept. of labor insurance plan, the government will ensure
your bonding if needed for a job.
8. Targeted JOB TAX CREDITS is a benefit for the employers willing to hire
ex-convicts. The employer will receive a $3000.00 “TAX WRITE OFF” the
first year and a $1500.00 one the next. If the employer is training you in
a skill the government will pay half of your wages for the first year, in
addition to the tax-cut the employer receives.
9. As an ex-convict you are classified as a disadvantaged minority, thus
you are eligible for vocational training schooling, as well as the
benefits mentioned above. (YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT MANY
STATE AND FEDERALLY OPERATED PROGRAMS DON’T WANT TO BE BOTHERED WITH
EX-CONVICTS, IN SUCH CASES ALWAYS BRING THE PROPER LAWS AND DOCUMENTS
STATING YOU ARE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THESE BENEFITS.)
DO THIS WITHIN TEN DAYS OF YOUR RELEASE
Go to the STATE REHABILITATION CENTER where you can apply for various
federally funded loans and grants.
If you want to start a small business make a list of the approx. cost of
all equipment you will need. (i.e. tools, work clothes, etc.) and an
estimate for how much operating cash you will need to start up the
business. Until it starts to make a living for you. They may loan you up
to $50,000.00
If you need to be bonded for employment by a private employer you can
obtain the bond from and US district Court. Go to the probation and parole
department it should take less than an hour to have the validated forms in
your hand. You are qualified because you are on SSI. The WELFARE DEPT.
will automatically send you $228.00 per month for financial assistance and
utility. SSI is the same in every state!
A. Go to the DEPT. OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION because you are on SSI
B. A convicted felon is a depressed minority. You also qualify for a
certain benefit package. The amount of this package is $1900.00 to be used
for a down payment on a vehicle. The car must be used to go back and forth
to work.
C. You will also receive $300.00 for clothing on the job and another
$400.00 for tools. These are grants and DO NOT have to be paid back.
